Fig. 4

AKR1C1 regulated the osteogenic and adipogenic capacity of hASCs in vivo and the effect relied on the enzyme activity. a H&E staining of NC, shAKR1C1-1, and shAKR1C1-2 groups in heterotopic bone formation assay. b Masson staining of NC, shAKR1C1-1, and shAKR1C1-2 groups in heterotopic bone formation assay. c H&E staining of NC, shAKR1C1-1, and shAKR1C1-2 groups in heterotopic adipose tissue formation assay. Cells were separately loaded on Collagen Sponge scaffolds after 7 days of adipogenic induction and then implanted in the nude mice. d Oil red O staining of NC, shAKR1C1-1, and shAKR1C1-2 groups in heterotopic adipose tissue formation assay. e H&E staining of vector, wild type (WT) and mutant groups of AKR1C1 knockdown cells (shAKR1C1-1) in heterotopic bone formation assay. f Masson staining of vector, wild type (WT) and mutant groups of AKR1C1 knockdown cells (shAKR1C1-1) in heterotopic bone formation assay. g H&E staining of vector, wild type (WT) and mutant groups of AKR1C1 knockdown cells (shAKR1C1-1) in heterotopic adipose tissue formation assay. Cells were separately loaded on Collagen Sponge scaffolds after 7 days of adipogenic induction and then implanted in the nude mice. h Oil red O staining of vector, wild type (WT), and mutant groups of AKR1C1 knockdown cells (shAKR1C1-1) in heterotopic adipose tissue formation assay